Sunday, February 8, 2009

Two recent national philanthropy reports have released information indicating that Gay Funders contributed $37 million in one year to GLBT organizations across the United States. Native American Two Spirit People, the poorest of all the GLBT communities, received only 4 small grants of about $2,500. The average grant to gay organizations nationally is $16,000 a year. Gay funders have a mission to serve all equally, but it's time for a summit with the Two Spirit People here in our ancestral domains to help the funders achieve their mission. Two Spirit People have significant spiritual and ceremonial roles in our Native cultures, and Gay Philanthropy has a significant role to play in realizing a vision of funding-justice and social justice with our people."

Being part Cherokee and part Iroquois, I have mixed feelings about this. Indigenous issues are important, but the whole "two spirit" thing is disturbing, since it is a religious concept. Foundation support should go to indigenous projects that are not based on religion, just as all foundation support should be for inclusive, not religious projects.

I'm placing this on my blog and getting the word out there for our indigenous sisters and brothers! The LGBTQ community is so diverse we should really all work together equality. Someone should contact HRC and request them to be more inclusive of the native community!